Alachua County breaks ground on its $62.8 million civil courthouse at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, on South Main Street. The public is invited, and the building is due in summer 2028.
Alachua County will hold a public groundbreaking for its new civil courthouse at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19. The ceremony is at the construction site, 220 S. Main St. in downtown Gainesville.
The courthouse will cost $62.8 million, the county said in its Nov. 12 announcement. It will replace the existing civil courthouse. Completion is tentatively scheduled for summer 2028.
What is being built
The courthouse is one part of a judicial complex the county puts at about $90 million. The complex has three pieces:
| Building | Builder | What it does | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil courthouse | Ajax Building Company | Replaces the existing civil courthouse | Summer 2028 (tentative) |
| Parking garage | Finfrock (design and build) | About 500 spaces on five levels | January 2027 (substantial completion) |
| Energy plant | Hoffman Construction | Chilled water and thermal energy storage for the complex | Not given |
The garage will have ground-level parking and four elevated decks, with two stairwells and an elevator. The county said it will serve courthouse employees, visitors and other court operations.
The energy plant makes and stores chilled water for cooling. The county said that lets the complex produce it ahead of peak-demand periods, which helps keep down energy costs.
Why the county is building it
The county said the courthouse is part of a long-term effort to modernize court buildings and to meet growing space and operational needs.
“This project represents an important investment in the future of Alachua County’s judicial system,” County Manager Michele Lieberman said in the announcement.
Today, civil and family cases are heard at the Alachua County Family/Civil Justice Center, 201 E. University Ave., according to the Clerk of Court’s courthouse information page. The Judge Stephan P. Mickle Sr. Criminal Courthouse is at 220 S. Main St.
Site work began in August 2025. The city of Gainesville said at the time that construction fencing was going up for the new civil courthouse and parking garage, and that parking at the courthouse would be unavailable during construction.
Who is speaking
The county lists these speakers for the ceremony:
- County Manager Michele Lieberman
- County Commissioner Anna Prizzia
- Chief Judge William E. Davis
- Alachua County Facilities Director Travis Parker
What it means for you
- To attend: The groundbreaking is free and open to the public at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at 220 S. Main St.
- Where to park: The county said parking is available in the grass lot just south of the project along Southwest Fourth Avenue, in the nearby southwest downtown parking garage and in on-street spaces.
- If you have court business now: The announcement does not change where cases are heard. The clerk lists 201 E. University Ave. for civil and family court.
- Downtown parking costs: The city said in August 2025 that parking in downtown Lots 2, 3 and 4 is free at all hours, and that on-street parking downtown is free before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m. on weekdays.
- Accommodations: If you have a disability and need an accommodation to take part, the county asks you to call its Equal Opportunity Office at 352-374-5275 at least two business days ahead. TTY users can call 711.
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